|
|
Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
|
Horowhenua teacher
Michael Neville, who was acquitted of indecently assaulting four young girls,
may take action against the police. Neville's lawyer Bruce
Squire QC, said the trial took a huge toll on
Neville and aspects of the police inquiry were "less than
satisfactory." On Thursday, a jury at
the Palmerston North District Court found Neville not guilty of indecently assaulting
four girls under the age of 12, who claimed he had touched them in class.
Neville's family and supporters cheered as each of the verdicts was read. Outside court, Neville
said he felt alive again following the 17-month ordeal. But his
supporters are critical of the police investigation. Neville's brother Tony
said the police took a "Starsky and
Hutch" approach and treated his brother as a paedophile from the
start. "It was more of a witch-hunt than an investigation." In the middle of last
year, parents were given an investigation outline by police. It said a sexual
assault had taken place, yet at that stage no charges had been laid against
Neville. "I think they
basically ran a campaign as opposed to an objective, impartial assessment of
what was going on," supporter Ian McIntosh said. Helen McIntosh said
police seemed determined to find something. "Like the hotline on the
radio that there had been charges against Neville, and if you had any
complaints to ring up the hotline." The court heard Neville
was highly respected by parents and teachers as having a knack of getting the
best out of young children. "It was always what you do with kids, give
them a hug you know, give them a pat on the back," Helen McIntosh said. Two of the
complainants, both girls aged under 12, claimed
Neville had touched them on their genitals. One said he touched her
"in places you're not supposed to" and said "he apologised to
me the next morning". But the assistant
principal gave evidence that neither of the girls could be relied on to tell
the truth. Neville's school is now deciding whether he will get his job back. Police said their
investigation was professional and thorough. |
